GSL Preview Tennis

Thu., March 26, 2009

Last year’s league champions were Ferris boys and Mead girls, who also tied for first in state. Mead’s boys bring back most of their second-place finishing team in an attempt at a sweep by the school this year. Gonzaga Prep girls, who won seven straight titles between 1997 and 2003 and have four returning All-GSL players, will be in the mix along with University, which lost 4-3 to Mead in its opener. The Ferris boys lost several regulars, putting G-Prep, Mt. Spokane and Central Valley in the likely challengers’ role.

Players to watch

Boys: Mead junior Ethan Vaughn assumes the role of individual favorite with the graduation of state placer Whitman Hough from Ferris. … CV sophomore Peter Ho was a District 8 4A finalist last year. … LC’s Zach Williams was part of the district doubles champions. … Ferris’ Bryce Fager was fourth in district singles. … Justin McClain was District 8 3A finalist as Mt. Spokane had all four singles semifinalists last year.

Girls: Mead sisters Britta and Katijene Stime return after finishing fourth in state doubles. They, along with G-Prep’s Anna Lambert (third in district), U-Hi’s Jessi Steele (fourth) and LC’s Alix Silha, are other key 4A players. Steele lost to Britta Stime in three sets last week. … Mt. Spokane’s Valerie Nauditt was 3A district runner-up last year.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Boys predicted finish	4. Central Valley	8. Shadle Park
1. Mead	5. Lewis and Clark	9. East Valley
2. Gonzaga Prep	6. University	10. North Central
3. Mt. Spokane	7. Ferris	11. Rogers

Girls predicted finish	4. Ferris	8. Mt. Spokane
1. Mead	5. Lewis and Clark	9. North Central
2. Gonzaga Prep	6. Central Valley	10. Shadle Park
3. University	7. East Valley	11. Rogers

GSL Preview Tennis

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Mohamed Salah and Egypt have never won a World Cup game. Is this their moment?

Gonzaga picks up commitment from 18-year-old French prospect Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa

Hurricanes win Stanley Cup for first time since 2006, finish off dominant 16-3 playoff run